With the county’s growing success in the food and drink sector this year, it was probably the toughest competition yet when it came to finding winners across all 19 categories at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards.
Celebrating the county’s community, local champions and culinary expertise, Stuart Branch, Chief People and Digital Officer for Weetabix, said:
“Weetabix is delighted to be headline sponsor for the fourth year running, especially as aspects of sustainability are included in every category. Sustainability is in our DNA at Weetabix and so important to our local communities, our customers, and our consumers.
“We are delighted that this ethos is shared among the brilliant people and businesses that come together through the awards process and are extremely proud to support Rachel and the team to ensure that those who achieve Gold, Silver and Bronze in each category receive the recognition they deserve as we know that they have worked so hard to achieve it.
“These awards not only provide us with an opportunity to recognise our amazing Weetabix Growers Group of farmers but also to celebrate the brilliant businesses from around the county, giving us the opportunity to learn from each other, taking inspiration from the innovation, creativity, and ambition in this space.”
With 101 finalists and over 500 hours of volunteer judging taken place, this has to be one of the most supported events in the 15 years of having the awards.
The menu, served by Portfolio Events, included some wonderful examples of Northamptonshire food and drink including Dovely Bakery Rose Cottage multi seed loaf, Hamm Tun Fine Foods’ Northamptonshire blue cheese, Urban Microgreen mixed salad, New Lodge Vineyard Chilli Honey dressing, Three Hills Brewery Heidrun Session NEIPA, Eat Curious vegan Wellington, and Boughton House honey.
As sponsors of this year’s Gastro Pub of the Year and Young Chef of the Year awards, Booker were delighted with the calibre of entries. Darren Bown, Customer Director, Catering at Booker, said:
“It is fantastic to see such brilliant talent at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards in the Booker Gastro Pub and Booker Young Chef categories. Booker is really proud to be sponsoring both categories. It has been a hard time for the industry which is why it is even more important to get behind these fantastic local companies to allow them to keep bringing brilliant food and drink to their communities and to help encourage employment for the sector.
“All the companies and the young chefs should be proud of their achievements and Booker will continue to offer the choice, prices and services this sector requires while also continuing to support young chefs coming into the industry.”
The culinary themed trophies were created from upcycled metalware supporting the sustainable theme. These were presented by Master of Ceremonies Helen Fospero, known for her presenting role on shows such as GMTV, Daybreak and Lorraine.
Mike Peters, Managing Director of Whitworth Bros Ltd, category sponsor of ‘One to Watch’ said:
“Every year the awards ceremony and gala dinner is an evening to remember and this year was no exception. I’d encourage everyone to seek out the winners and finalists in each of the categories to support them throughout the year as we continue to make Northamptonshire a great place to eat, work and live.”
For more information on the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2023/24, visit www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk
The Gold Winners were as follows:
Artisan Local Drink of the Year
Sponsored by J Sweeney Accountants
Club 80 Navy Strength London Dry Gin
Silverstone Distillery
Artisan Local Product of the Year
Sponsored by Heygates
Coffee Ice Cream, Your Cool
Artisan Local Vegetarian/Vegan Product of the Year
Sponsored by Daily Bread
Strawberry & Rose Cake,
Mill House – The Old Stable Yard Tea Room
Booker Gastro Pub of the Year
Sponsored by Booker
The Tollemache Arms, Harrington
Booker Young Chef of the Year
Sponsored by Booker
Jade Walter – Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa
Canapé of the Year
Sponsored by Portfolio Events
Kamil Podgorski, Northampton College
Community Café of the Year
Sponsored by The Good Loaf, and the Health and Wellbeing services at West Northamptonshire Council
Bennett’s Thrapston
Event Venue of the Year
Sponsored by Hilton Garden Inn
Silverstone Circuits Ltd
Farming Environment Award
Sponsored by Weetabix
J.A. Knight & Sons
F&B Achiever of the Year
Sponsored by Howes Percival
Joe Buckley, The Tollemache Arms Eddie & James White,
Whites of Earls Barton
Food and Drink College Student of the Year
Sponsored by University of Northampton Cohen O’Dell
Northampton College
Healthy Food and Wellbeing of the Year
Sponsored by Delapre Abbey
Producers:
Mango Explosion Granola
Salma Soulful
Workplace:
Sol Laug Haven
Local Food Hero of the Year
Sponsored by Moulton College
Rick Sharpe,
The Roaming Artisan
One to Watch
Sponsored by Whitworth Bros. Ltd.
Restaurant Ember
Santina’s Wood Fired Pizza Co.
Outstanding Contribution to Food & Drink Northamptonshire
Jo & Nigel Wagstaff,
Houghton Hams
Patrons Award
Phil Martin
Northampton College
Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by Greedy Gordons
The Palmichael
Burton Latimer
Weetabix Sustainability Award
Sponsored by Weetabix
Sol Laug Haven
Whitco Chef of the Year
Sponsored by Whitco
Adam Phillips,
The Falcon at Castle Ashby
World Cuisine Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by British Pepper & Spice
June Plum
Wellingborough
